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This Dubious Strategy Is NOT One I’d Use to Save on Hotel Stays. Would You?

September 6, 2017
by
Million Mile Secrets Million Mile Secrets

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A Million Mile Secrets reader recently wrote to tell me they saved ~50% off a paid hotel stay. They did so by booking online using a government employee rate.

The terms & conditions for booking a government rate usually state you must be a a state or federal government employee or active military. And you have to provide a valid ID at check-in.

But based on the reader’s experience and folks on FlyerTalk, some hotels do NOT ask for ID at check-in. This means it’s possible for anyone to book the discounted government rate online.

The Government Employee Price at a Sample Starwood Hotel Is ~$100 Cheaper Than Other Rates

Keep in mind, the discount can vary depending on the hotel. And most hotels have a limited number of rooms available at a special rate for government employees. So some nights the government rate can be the same or more expensive than the rate for loyalty members.

If you’re unsure if you qualify for a government employee rate, I’d recommend contacting the hotel to confirm. Because if you’re not eligible and book it anyway, you could end up paying a lot more than you planned.

Most hotel chains advertise that without the appropriate government ID at check-in, you’ll have to pay the best available price offered to the public for that night. And if the hotel is full, the nightly rate can be much higher than what you’d expect. Plus, it’ll likely be too late to cancel your stay without paying a penalty.

That’s why I would NOT recommend booking the government employee rate if you’re not eligible. The potential savings is not worth the risk!

Save on Paid Stays With Other Memberships

You might not save as much as the government employee rate, but there are other memberships that can get you a discounted hotel stay.

For example, you can become an AARP member (anyone of any age can join AARP for $16 per year). At Hilton hotels, the AARP rate is up to 5% less than the best available rate. And AARP members enjoy late checkout until 2:00 pm, when available. Other chains offer similar perks.

Or look for the AAA / CAA hotel rates to see if you can save. I’ve found these rates are only a few dollars cheaper or the same as the member rate. But the savings can add up if you have lots of paid hotel stays!

Or Stay for Free With These Current Hot Hotel Card Offers!

Getting discounts on paid hotel stays is sweet. But even better if you can stay for free!

There are a number of excellent increased sign-up bonuses on hotel cards right now. By signing-up and completing minimum spending requirements, you could earn enough points for multiple free hotel nights!

Bottom Line

Most major chains offer a special government employee rate at their hotels. You can book it online, but you’re expected to present your government ID at check-in.

Folks say some hotels don’t ask for your ID, which means it’s possible for anyone to book a government rate. In one example, I found a government rate that’s 45% cheaper than the price for loyalty members.

That said, I would NOT recommend booking this way if you’re not eligible. Because if you’re unable to provide the appropriate ID at check-in, you can end up paying a lot more for your stay. Instead, consider joining AARP or other associations to book discounted hotel stays.

Have you ever booked a government employee rate to save on a hotel stay?

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Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

29comments

Whether it was your intent or not, all this post did was call out a dubious strategy for trying to save a buck on a hotel. You even bold type the statement “some hotels don’t ask for an I.D. when you check in”. And yes you do mention that you would NOT be comfortable booking this way. This was a story that should have been presented as “Hey government employees, don’t forget to check out government rates if eligible based on your travel plans”

I am a retiree from a large multinational corporation and am able to use my employee codes for car rentals and hotels, I do have ID that I carry with me when I travel, which is usually overseas.

However, a year ago on a domestic road trip, I forgot to bring my ID and had booked a low level Marriott in Annapolis for what turned out to be commissioning week. At check-in I was asked for proof and was told they would not honor the rate without it. A bit frantic until I remembered that my cellphone bill has my company name and employee id number and I was able to pull up a copy of that on my phone. It was a real hassle. Manager was very skeptical so I had to show him my license to prove name and address matched cellphone bill.

Here the going rate would not have been that high, but I would not want to be paying hundreds more at a higher end property.

Personally, I would never consider using a code for which I was not eligible in case I was asked for proof. Sometimes my corp code won’t work at a particular property, so I consider alternatives – points or cheaper option. JMHO.

“That said, I would NOT recommend booking this way if you’re not eligible. Because if you’re unable to provide the appropriate ID at check-in, you can end up paying a lot more for your stay. “

Because you may end up paying more? Not because it is dishonest? Or not because you would take the limited number of rooms at this rate away from someone that is eligible? I’m all for working the system to get the best rates, but not being dishonest about it.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)